Juggling high-stakes business deals, launching a new product, and getting the kids out the door with smiles on their faces is the crazy reality for many entrepreneurs.
Amidst this chaos, there’s a secret tool that can help you spot opportunities and maintain your sanity: training yourself to think different to optimize the way your brain shapes your world.
The Neuroscience: How Your Brain Shapes Reality
Our brains aren’t passive receivers; they’re active storytellers. Every second, your brain processes roughly 11 million bits of sensory input and distills this flood of data into actionable narratives—whether it’s to forge ahead, pause for a moment, or address a potential issue.
As UK neuroscientist Anil Seth explains, “Perception is a process of informed guesswork in which the brain combines sensory signals with its beliefs about the way the world is to form its best guess of what caused those signals.”
This insight—further explored in his TED talk Your Brain Hallucinates Your Conscious Reality—reveals that perception is not merely a mirror of external reality. Rather, it’s an active process of prediction and interpretation shaped by our prior experiences and beliefs.
In simple terms, what you believe to be true is true.
Whoa. Let that sink in.
Unpacking Hidden Beliefs
It’s easy to list the beliefs we’re aware of, but many assumptions operate under the surface—thoughts like “more effort will get the job done,” “I don’t have enough time,” or “more money is the answer.” Each of these beliefs influences how you perceive challenges and whether you spot opportunities.
Rather than trying to catalog and overhaul every thought, consider launching small experiments to reveal which beliefs might be holding you back.
The Power of Experimentation
Transitioning into an experimental mindset creates a liberating sense of spaciousness. When you allow yourself to test ideas without judgment, new avenues for creativity and strategic thinking emerge. Take, for example, my recent Lucky Launch Lab—an accelerator designed to eliminate friction, break through logjams, and cultivate bold, inspired action.
Example 1: One entrepreneur shifted away from an adrenaline-fueled grind by adopting a “Delete 1 Day” approach. By letting go of one day a week—as if Friday simply didn’t exist—she found balance, tapped into her creativity, and began thinking more strategically as she prepares to scale her successful wellness business.
Example 2: Another thought leader, challenged to step out of her comfort zone, experimented with a ukulele performance during a keynote speech. This bold move unlocked a new avenue for self-expression and underscored that innovation often arises from taking risks and embracing imperfection.
Inspiration From “Think Different”
The mantra of thinking differently isn’t new. Apple’s Think Different campaign remains one of the most iconic advertising initiatives in history. With its famous “Here’s to the crazy ones…” narration, the campaign celebrated originality, nonconformity, and the courage to challenge the status quo. It wasn’t just about selling products—it was a call to see the world differently and to believe in your unique vision.
Training yourself to think different is a game changer—not only does it spark innovation, creativity, and ingenuity, but it also shifts your beliefs. And using the template of those new beliefs, your brain begins to tell fresh, exciting stories about the possibilities in your reality.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Your Uniqueness
I believe in you—your originality and your opportunity to make a dent in our world.
Think differently to change the game. The brain’s relentless cycle of prediction and adjustment isn’t just abstract theory—it’s a practical process that you, as an entrepreneur, can harness to unlock innovation.
By adopting an experimental, curiosity-driven approach, you can redefine what’s possible. Your uniquely human capacity to learn, adapt, and innovate remains your most valuable asset. So, experiment fearlessly, and watch as every apparent mistake reveals a new opportunity.
Think differently, ignite radical innovation, and literally reshape your world. Go for it.